Fundraising appeal launched for Doncaster baby memorial garden

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Published:14:00Thursday 12 May 2016

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A group of dedicated staff at Doncaster Royal Infirmary have launched an appeal for funds to create a baby memorial garden for families who have experienced a miscarriage, still birth or neonatal death.

The garden, which will give families a space to remember the short but incredibly significant lives of their babies, is part of the bigger ‘Grace Project’ initiative which has improved the Trust’s care and support for bereaved parents at this vulnerable time.

The ground for the garden will be dedicated at the annual baby memorial service and picnic on 19 June at 2.00pm. Chris van D’Arque, Lead Chaplain at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital, and one of the leads on the project said: “This event is a celebration of the life of each baby, and our dedication of this ground marks a fresh step in our commitment to care for all bereaved families with the same quality of intelligent thoughtfulness and compassion as everyone else in our care throughout the Trust.”

The appeal has already attracted lots of attention during its first week and £375 has been donated already, but they still need help to reach the £5,000 target.

Local artist Deborah Roe has made a creative donation to the appeal in the form of a spiritual painting incorporating the Grace Project’s butterfly logo. The painting will hang on the maternity ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Local Armthorpe business, Chloe’s Cakes and Bakes, have also come on board with the fundraising drive and donated their takings from sales during the Tour de Yorkshire.

Nick Kerry, Supervisor of Midwives and Chris’s partner on the project said: “Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We have had a fantastic response in such a small space of time and I hope the enthusiasm continues as it’s such a worthy cause. No donation is too small to help all of the families in Doncaster who are not lucky enough to take their precious babies home with them.”

If you would like to make a donation or have a fundraising idea, please search for the JustGiving page Doncaster and Bassetlaw’s Baby Memorial Fund or call 01302 642708.